Oman ready to make an impact in Asia Cup

Sports Monday 25/August/2025 14:47 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman ready to make an impact in Asia Cup

Muscat: Oman Cricket has officially announced its 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, marking a historic first-ever appearance in the prestigious tournament. The team earned qualification by finishing runners-up in the ACC Premier Cup 2024, held on home soil.

The Asia Cup 2025 is one of the premier cricket tournaments in the region, bringing together the best teams from across Asia to compete for the coveted title. Known for its high-octane action and massive global viewership, the Asia Cup offers Associate nations like Oman a golden opportunity to compete against established cricketing giants.

Key Players and Leadership

Oman will be led by experienced opener Jatinder Singh (Captain), who has enjoyed a brilliant year with the bat and will look to carry that momentum into the tournament. Among the batting talents, Hammad Mirza stands out as one of the most promising young players, having played a memorable impactful knock against India in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 in Oman. The middle order brings stability and experience with the likes of Mohammed Nadeem and Vinayak Shukla adding depth to the batting lineup.

The bowling unit looks well-rounded. The pace attack features Hassnain Ali Shah and Mohammad Imran, strengthened by the addition of tall left-arm pacer Faisal Shah. Sufyan Mehmood adds variety with his clever variations, giving the team an edge with the ball to support quality spin department led by experienced Shakeel Ahmed.

Debutants to Watch

The squad also features four exciting debutants ready to make their mark - Sufyan Yousuf - a composed and technically sound wicketkeeper-batter, Zikriya Islam - an attacking top-order batter known as an X-factor player, Faisal Shah - tall left-arm pacer who hits the hard lengths & Nadeem Khan - a solid left-arm spinner who also provides handy runs.

Coach Duleep Mendis said: “It is real that we are participating in the Asia Cup – a major tournament and a fantastic opportunity for our players to showcase their skills on a global stage. Playing against teams like India and Pakistan is a moment to embrace for any cricketer. Anything can happen in a fast-paced T20 game, where one over of brilliance can change everything.”

Mendis further added, “Our build-up has been strong, with the ongoing National T20 tournament providing competitive exposure, and our training sessions have been intense and focused. It’s not just about skills – in high-pressure games against elite teams, mental strength is equally crucial. We are hopeful of making an impact in this Asia Cup and showcasing Oman as a growing cricketing nation.” “Oman enters the Asia Cup with a blend of experience and youth, determined to leave a mark against Asia’s cricketing powerhouses. The tournament will not only test their skills but also their mental toughness on one of the most watched platforms in the sport” Mendis said as he gears up the team for the marquee tournament.

Oman Squad for Asia Cup 2025: Jatinder Singh (Captain), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Sufyan Yousuf (wk), Ashish Odedera, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonavale, Zikriya Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Faisal Shah, Mohammad Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Samay Shrivastava. Support Staff: Manager – Alkesh Joshi, Head Coach – Duleep Mendis, Deputy Head Coach – Sulakshan Kulkarni, Assistant Coach – Mazher Khan, Analyst – Zeeshan Siddiqui, S&C Trainer – Shiva Manhas, Physio – Dr. Ashish Awasthi, Masseur – Bashir Ahmed

Oman’s Asia Cup 2025 Fixtures:

12 September – vs Pakistan

15 September – vs UAE

19 September – vs India

This year's edition promises even more excitement with 8 teams – 5 test playing nations such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and 3 associate nations - Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong vying for quality cricket in the fast-paced T20 format. Matches will be played in front of large crowds and televised globally, providing a platform for players to showcase their talent to millions of viewers.